NEWSFLASH 

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FAMAS COMPLETES OROPESA, GLYDEL GRAND SLAM

Quezon City, April 9, 2000 - Actresses Elizabeth Oropesa and Glydel Mercado scored grand slams when they won their fourth Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress trophies, respectively, at the 48th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards.

Oropesa and Mercado were earlier named best actress and best supporting actress, respectively, at the Star Awards, the Urian Awards, and the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards.

Oropesa, a veteran actress who first made a name for herself in the mildly bold movies years ago, was recognized by the FAMAS for her remarkable performance in Viva Films' offering "Bulaklak ng Maynila."

Mercado was honored for her impressive portrayal in the Nora Aunor-starrer "Sidhi," a Crown Seven Ventures production.

Albert Martinez, the male lead star of "Sidhi," was named best actor, while Raymond Bagatsing was named best supporting actor for his portrayal of a gay in Star Cinema's "Soltera." It is Bagatsing's second acting trophy this year.

GMA Films' "Muro Ami" won five awards -- best picture, best director (for Marilou Diaz Abaya), best cinematography (Marissa Floirendo, Rody Lacap, and Manolo Abaya), best sound (Albert Michael Idioma), and best child actress (Rebecca Lusterio).

"Sidhi" also won five awards -- best actor (Martinez), best supporting actress (Mercado), best story (by the late Rolando Tinio), best editing (Jess Navarro), and best art direction (Tatus Aldana).

Best screenplay went to Jun Lana and Jerry Lopez Sineneng (for the movie "Soltera"), while best child actor was bagged by Lester Llansang ("Saranggola"), and best theme song was won by Jade Nicdao. Best musical direction went to Nonong Buencamino for "Dahil May Isang Ikaw." Other winners were Raul Pedro Bulaong, best visual effects for "Wansapayataym," and Erick Torrente, best special effects for "Alyas Pogi, Ang Pagbabalik."

"Soltera" won three awards.

Fernando Poe Jr. was conferred a lifetime achievement award while Eddie Romero received the FAMAS presidential award.

The other awardees were: Charlie Arcega, Flavio G. Macaso Memorial Award; Vir Mateo, Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award; Romy Diaz, Lou Salvador Sr. Memorial Award; Gary Valenciano, Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award; and Ciara Sotto and Marvin Agustin, German Moreno Youth Achievement Awards.

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